Table Types and to Dancefloor (or not to dancefloor)?

aeliza06

Hi Knotties! By recommendation of so many future brides, I have decided to join, and I could definitely use some help! I am absolutely perplexed on tables and dance floor arrangements.

Our venue is small. Super small. At most, they can accommodate 110 people for a sit down. We still don't have our final guest count yet, but we are anticipating right at 100, or possibly a few more.

So, my question is, it is a rectangular room (28 ft by 48 ft room)- would 8 foot rectangular tables fit more people, or would 6 foot rounds? 

Also, I definitely want dancing. So Dilemma numero dos: 

1) Do I separate the dance area and have it outside on the balcony (which is strictly separate from the dinner room)? 

2) Do I try to fit in the same room as dining?

On this: the outside patio area is wooden planks, so I am fearful of splinters/heels, etc. Do I rent a dancefloor (an extra cost I wasn't really budgeting for)?

or for the inside in the same room as the dining- it is carpet (like the school room like carpet that is very low pile)- should I do a dancefloor in here too, or should this be fine? 

Thanks so much for feedback- any ideas/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated  

Hope everyone is having an awesome Friday!

fallbride1109

We had a 72" round as our head table and we sat 12, although 10 would be a bit roomier.

Is there anyone at your venue that can help you?  I don't know about 100 people drinking and dancing on a balcony, but maybe that's just me being paranoid.

KendallandAlbert

Also, depending on the time of year - dancing outside could be miserably hot

MarieSD

I always prefer dancing to be in the same room as dinner. That way it doesn't feel like a separate party for the dancers vs. the non-dancers.

My relatives (who didn't dance at all) stayed til the very end and said their favorite part was actually watching the dancers from their table.

If you have staff from the venue helping or you hire a Day-Of Coordinator, you can always break down some tables to make more room for dancing. I believe they took down 1 table to make more room on the dance floor while we were cutting the cake (on the opposite side of the room). In fact, it may have been our sweetheart table. I didn't even notice.

aeliza06

Thanks Stephie hall, Kendall and Marie!

I will see about the round tables- unfortunately our venue coordinator hasn't really been that helpful. I asked what worked better, and she said rounds... but when I saw it in person- there was no room for dancing! 

You're right about the heat Kendall, completely wasn't thinking about that. 

Thanks Marie- I think the breaking down tables would be the best bet- and I really didn't think of it! It would make so much more room without separating the party! 

Thanks to all for the help!

Has anyone ever had  carpeted (or attended) a wedding with a carpeted (low pile of course) dance floor (or one that wasn't concrete or wood)? 

MarieSD

I  personally like round tables. I think you'd be safe with whichever you like better, and just planning to break a few down. (You might want to reserve those tables for your wedding party/you and your DH, so you can tell them in advance that their table might go missing midway through).

For the carpet question -- I haven't faced this personally. This post on another site (link) has some mixed reviews that might help you decide.

I'm pretty sure that when I toured Stockyards Station, their Cowboy Hall of Fame room had carpet and they mentioned that I might need to rent a dance floor, and I recall asking if I needed that but don't remember their response. You might call them and ask if people have had receptions in that room without renting a dance floor.

If you are planning to hire a DOC or a DJ (or already have), you could also ask them what they think, and if they've seen dancing on carpet before. They might want to see a photo of the space/carpet first, so have that ready.

TexanTreasure08

I would have the dance floor in the same room and have it be wood. I know a lot of weddings that have ended early because the dancing was in a other room. I had to factor in the dance floor as well for my venue's space. You might have to look for a bigger venue if you must have that many guests.